“Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the world, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison—that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.” – Colossians 4:2-4
When called to ministry, we are still first called to love God and love our neighbor. The additional challenges of living in a new culture and operating in a second language can make that command seem daunting at times for cross-cultural servants. This month we continue to pray over our missionary corps, who serve throughout South America, as they face obstacles in their ministries and personal lives. Like Paul asked the church in Colossae to pray over him, we ask that God would open a door to each of our missionaries, that they may be salt and light in their communities.
Whether the trial is medical, interpersonal, financial, logistical or spiritual, we know that in all things God is righteous, just, merciful and the true source of hope to his people. The trials and hardships experienced in ministry are no easier, and often more difficult, with the added stresses of cross-cultural work. We pray over our missionaries this month with the confidence that David had: “Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.” – Psalm 55:22
MISSIONARY CORPS PRAYERS
1. Pray for our missionaries who are on Home Ministry Assignment. Pray for those who have returned to the US for their Home Ministry Assignment (HMA), that their time in the US would be rejuvenating to their souls and a time of blessed fellowship with their friends, family, and network of supporters. Ask God to provide the necessary resources for these missionaries to confidently return to the field. Pray also for our missionaries who are preparing for their upcoming HMA, that God would enable their remaining time on the field to produce opportunities to present the gospel, and that God would comfort them as they say goodbye and prepare to temporarily leave their ministry context.
2. Health concerns can inhibit ministry and are a hard reality for some of our missionaries. Pray for the health of our missionary corps, that God would sustain them in ministry and provide the necessary strength for their service. Ask God to heal the sick and wounded, and to guide the hands of surgeons and doctors who are currently helping some of our missionaries overcome severe health issues. Pray that our missionaries would find God’s presence and voice a true source of comfort and hope within their suffering, and that God would give them the grace to be able to minister to others from their weakness.
3. One of the difficulties in cross-cultural ministry is developing deep fellowship and community, particularly as every cross-cultural servant has left their home country and sacrificed their opportunity to remain close to friends and family back home. Pray for the friendships and partnerships of our missionaries, that God would strengthen these relationships and use them to provide stability and comfort to our missionaries. Ask that God would provide deep friendships to our missionaries who are new to their field and ministry context, or who are experiencing loneliness. Pray that God would bless our missionaries with sincere fellowship with fellow believers who speak truth and bring hope to our missionaries as they continue to serve cross-culturally.
4. Resources and funding are potential areas of discouragement for missionaries and cross-cultural servants. Pray for our missionaries who lack sufficient resources or funding to confidently serve in their current ministry. Ask God to sustain our missionaries physically and financially as they continue in service. Pray that God would provide new ministry partners who will financially invest in our missionaries and ministries. Pray also that even in times of minimal funding or resources, our missionaries would be blessed with confidence in God’s call for their ministry and his unending love for them, his children, similar to the apostle Paul who learned how to be content “in times of need and in times of abundance” (Phil. 4:12).
5. Some of our missionaries have close family members who recently passed away. Pray for those who are currently grieving, that God would be their comfort and hope in this time, especially as they are physically distant from their family and loved ones. Ask God to bless these missionaries with peace and with close friends to support them emotionally and spiritually, and to ease the pain that distance can cause. Pray that even in their grieving, they may know the depth of God’s love and be a light to those around them.
6. This month the Bolivia missionary team says goodbye to some of their missionaries who are completing their service. Pray that God protects their final moments together in ministry and fellowship, that they gain closure and feel prepared for their transitions. Ask God to bless these missionaries with wisdom as they discern their next steps, that he would make their paths straight and show them how he has prepared them for this moment. Pray also for our missionaries who remain in Bolivia this summer, that God would sustain them and bless them with deep fellowship as they continue in ministry.
7. Pray for Natalie Suff who has recently joined the Bolivia field. Thank the Lord for his provision for Natalie as she begins her missionary service. Ask God to provide her the strength and perseverance necessary to adjust to a new culture. Pray also for her initial time at language school, that she learns Spanish effectively and that she focuses on the Lord and His will amidst all of the change and transition in her life.
8. Pray for Jorge & Ginny Enciso who returned to Bogotá, Colombia this month. Early this month they completed the adoption process and welcomed an 8-month old boy into their family. Pray for the Enciso family as they continue to transition and establish themselves in their community once more. Ask God to bless their family while they care for their new son, as their children enter a new school and as they all begin ministry again.
9. Pray for Chris & Cristi Haylett as they transition out of ministry in Riohacha, Colombia, and return to the US for Home Ministry Assignment. Ask God to protect their family as they say goodbye and travel this summer. Pray that in their remaining time in Colombia, they remain healthy and that doors are opened for them to share the gospel in Riohacha. Pray for their 3 youngest children who travel with them, that God would ease their pain as they say goodbye and re-enter the US. Pray also that God would grant clear vision and direction to the Haylett family as they pursue their next ministry context.
10. Pray for Hana Kamiya who has been blessed with a fruitful and exciting experience at language school in Costa Rica. Pray for healing as she continues to seek care for health concerns, which impact her placement for future ministry. Ask God to protect her and provide for her as she transitions back to the US. Pray for clarity and confidence from the Lord as Hana discerns her next ministry context. Ask that God would be her comfort and strength during this time of transition.
You can download this month’s prayer requests as a PDF here: June Prayer Focus